TRENTON — On a cold night at Arm & Hammer Park Thursday, the Thunder’s bats were hot enough for a couple of innings to beat the Erie SeaWolves 5-3.

The Thunder (8-6) took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the fourth when Taylor Dugas tripled home a pair of runs.

Kyle Roller and Rob Refsnyder both singled with one out and advanced to second and third on a wild pitch. The 25-year old, left-handed Dugas stepped up next and roped a triple down the first base line and into the right field corner, knocking home both runs.

Dan Fiorito followed that with a double to left-center, scoring Dugas and putting the Thunder ahead, 3-0.

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Roller added to the lead in the bottom of the fifth. After Gary Sanchez reached on a two-out error by SeaWolves shortstop Eugenio Suarez, Roller stepped up and crushed a two-run blast over the right field wall. It was Roller’s third home run of the season in only five games and gave Trenton a 5-0 lead.

“I think (Roller’s) ability to grind out at-bats a little bit more and see a few more pitches is certainly a benefit to him,” Thunder manager Tony Franklin said after Roller’s home run was on a 3-2 pitch.

Joel De La Cruz started for the Thunder and improved his record to 2-1. He pitched five and 2/3 innings, allowing no runs, six hits and two walks while striking out three. Ten of his outs were on ground balls.

“When he’s getting grounders, he’s on,” Franklin said, “and when he’s getting grounders we’re going to be busy. He did a great job.”

In his third start of the season, De La Cruz faced trouble in the fifth and sixth innings.

The fifth inning came to an end when Refsnyder and Ali Castillo turned a double play with runners on first and third with one out.

In the sixth, De La Cruz walked the first two batters then struck out Aaron Westlake. Ramon Cabrera grounded out to second next, moving runners to second and third with two down. Franklin brought in reliever Aaron Dott to finish the inning.

Making his third appearance of the season, Dott faced Steven Moya, who flied out to left field and ended the threat.

Dott struggled, however, in the seventh inning. He walked a pair of batters, struck one out and walked another to load the bases before being replaced by Jairo Heredia.

Inheriting a bases loaded situation, Heredia allowed a single to the first batter he faced. Jason Krizan’s base hit brought home two runs and cut the Thunder’s lead to 5-2. The lead was shortened to two when Suarez stepped up next and hit into a fielder’s choice.

Diego Moreno closed out the game, setting down Erie in order in the top of the ninth for his third save of the season.

“(Moreno has) been very effective for us in (the closer) role,” Franklin said.

“Great change up,” Franklin added about Moreno. “You know it’s coming and you still can’t lay off of it.”

Warwick Saupold started for the SeaWolves (5-7). He threw five innings, allowing seven hits and five runs, three earned.